Sunday, January 6, 2013

Hiring A Doula: How To Interview A Prospective Doula

This is Part One of a series on
choosing the best doula for you and your family. Other topics you'd like
to see addressed in this area? Email me at EfferenceDoula@gmail.com, or
visit my Contact Form.

I've
been to several interviews recently where I was the first doula the
family had ever spoken to. While they obviously knew what a doula was
and what we do, they were unsure of additional questions to ask. Listed
below are several things you might want to ask a potential doula during
your initial consultation.

"Tell me about your training/education."
An easy starting question, this will give you an idea of your potential
doula's expertise, plus a look at how we came to call ourselves Doulas.

"Are you certified?" Less
important than you might think (see a more in-depth look at
certification next week), a lot of families desire a doula that holds a
certain credential.

"How many births do you attend per month?" This
is a very important question because obviously, babies don't always
come when it's convenient! If your doula takes on more than one client
per month, be sure to ask if she has a backup in case of overlaps. If
continuity of care is important to you (i.e., you definitely do not want
her to send her backup), you may choose a doula that has a smaller
client load.

"Do you offer anything besides labor support?"
While this is not always important to expectant families, a growing
number of doulas have multiple areas of expertise. If you would prefer a
doula that also specializes in massage therapy, belly casting, placenta
encapsulation, breastfeeding support, or one who rents birth tubs, this
is a good question to ask. Many provide these services at a reduced
rate to their birth clients.

"What is your fee, and how is it paid?"
A doula's fee varies by experience, credentialing and location. Many
require a deposit to be paid at the time of hire. Be sure to ask about
reimbursement in the event that she fails to provide services. Lastly,
if her fee is prohibitive to you, don't be afraid to ask for a reduced
rate; many doulas take on lower-cost clients when they can, and can at
the very least refer you to someone who may be able to meet your needs.

"Do you have experience with _____?"
Do you have special considerations that would narrow your search? Some
expectant parents want a doula that has experience with specific
scenarios such as VBAC, waterbirth, multiples, pregnancy after loss, or
just attending births with a specific care provider. Any special
consideration that you would like your labor support person to know
about, just ask.

"Why did you decide to become a doula?"
This is a favorite topic of conversation, as all answers will vary
slightly. While nearly all of us got into it because of our passion for
birth, we all come to the table with different backgrounds that
influence how we'll answer this question, giving you a better idea of
who we are on a personal level.

Anything else you think is important! Have
them clarify what, exactly, they do prior to and during labor. Will
they accompany you in the event of a c-section? An epidural? How will
they work alongside your significant other? Ask about their personal
experience giving birth, if that is important to you. Very few topics
are off limits for your average doula.

If at any point you
feel your interviewee does not meet your specific needs, don't be afraid
to ask for referrals. Our area has a vibrant and diverse doula
community that is generally non-competitive and desires the best fit for
all expectant parents.